$10m Victoria Falls solar plant set for commissioning

Leonard Ncube, [email protected]

A US$10 million 5 megawatt (MW) solar power plant, located on a 6,5-hectare site near Victoria Falls International Airport, is nearing completion and set for commissioning early next year.

This marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biogas, and hydro.

The project, led by Power Ventures Private Limited, aims to expand into a 25MW plant after completing the first 5MW phase, with a long-term goal of becoming a 100MW solar station. The first phase has already seen the installation of 6 700 solar panels, with outstanding tasks including earthing corrections, substation connection, and tower erection nearing completion.

Power Ventures, a subsidiary of Southern Energy, has received the necessary generating licences from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) and environmental clearance from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The plant will connect to the grid through the 88kV line linking Hwange and Victoria Falls.

Power Ventures director, Mr Barry Nyabonda, said they had challenges in securing funding due to the reliance on foreign currency for materials, which are primarily imported from China. Local partners and South African financiers have supported the project so far, but further capital is required for expansion.

“This project was designed as a 5MW solar plant, with a substation for 25MW which will connect to the Zesa line to Victoria Falls. The intention is to commission early next year after which we will raise capital for 20MW,” he said.

“The biggest challenge has been that all materials are bought in United States dollars and imported but the local market is not able to raise funding which slows down implementation. We appeal to the Government to enhance avenues for foreign currency funding.”

The initial 5MW plant has been constructed at a cost of US$10 million, with the 25MW phase requiring an additional US$30 million. During construction, the project created 40 jobs, with 20 permanent positions anticipated during its operational phase.

Mr Nyabonda also noted that solar energy is a viable solution to the country’s power shortages, especially given the low generation levels at Kariba Dam, which are exacerbated by drought.

During the recent Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit 2024 in Victoria Falls, energy stakeholders discussed the importance of scaling up investment in renewable energy.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy chairman, Mr Fred Moyo, acknowledged challenges related to funding and co-ordination with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).

“With regards to our visit to the plant, the key points that are a challenge are the interface with ZETDC and funding. We are going to discuss and see why there are delays and I have invited project sponsors for a meeting to understand why there are challenges,” he said.

Mr Moyo said the committee had invited project financiers for a meeting to understand the source of challenges.

He said the availability of energy is crucial for development, hence the need to align laws to ensure effective implementation of such projects.

“The background to the workshop is the challenges the two countries are going through concerning electricity and that they need to map a way forward to try and avoid a continuation of the challenges,” he said.

“This is why we came in so that we would sit and listen to see if there are laws that are not aligning to effect and the need to unplug areas that are a real challenge. I am happy to say the meeting went well,” he said.

Delegates visited the solar plant in Lupinyu where about 6 700 solar panels out of the targeted 9 000 for the first phase have been mounted.

The Lupinyu solar project is expected to transform the energy landscape in Matabeleland North Province and contribute to Zimbabwe’s national goal of adding 2 000 MW from renewable sources to the grid by 2030.

Syno Hydro is the project contractor and is expected back on site to finish outstanding work after having shifted focus to other projects. — @ncubeleon